T cell exhaustion markers in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Expression patterns and prognostic significance in an Egyptian cohort

Figure 5 Immune profiles and alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma survivors vs non-survivors. Top panel: Bar plots showing mean ± SD of immune profiles (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, and immune checkpoint markers) in survivors (green, n = 33) and non-survivors (orange, n = 17). All comparisons were highly significant (P < 0.001, t-test/ANCOVA). Bottom panel: Alpha-fetoprotein levels (median, interquartile range) in survivors and non-survivors, also significantly higher in non-survivors (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Legend: Green bars/boxes = survivors, orange bars/boxes = non-survivors. Error bars = SD (for immune markers) or interquartile range (for alpha-fetoprotein). P-values are shown in the above comparisons. AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; IQR: Interquartile range.